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EXPERT RATING
7.0

Likes

  • Still fresh looks
  • Dynamic

Dislikes

  • Stiff competition from newer rivals
  • New model not far off
Neil Dowling
Contributing Journalist
21 Feb 2014
3 min read
0 Comments

The pace of new and so-called “all-new” models is so dizzying that it’s almost gratifying to find one that’s endured. Make no mistake, this is an old car, one whose underpinnings and drivetrains long predate its 2007 shape.

Though it will be replaced later this year, the package is surprisingly contemporary and the styling still looks fresh. Indeed it remains the top-selling city car, knocking off Toyota's Yaris. Nor were these “all-new” when they came to market in 2010. In a rapidly growing market segment, the pace of change of change has lagged, something shown up by Renault's Clio.

To keep interest alive until its replacement arrives, Mazda’s added alloy wheels as a non-cost inclusion in the base Neo model which is enough to earn it a Sport tag. The update also introduced a name change to Neo Sport, though in a city-based runabout, the name may be redundant.

VALUE

Looks good at $15,790 but you add $1650 for the automatic. Alloys are now standard but there’s little else save for cruise control, air conditioning, electric mirrors and windows, plus a solid safety package. Bluetooth is glaringly omitted. The 2 fits its city-suburban commuter and shopping trolley remit perfectly, with very good build quality and an endearing simplicity. Resale is solid at 46 per cent.

DESIGN

Still very fresh and fits perfectly into the morning freeway parking lot. It’s small at only 3.9m long but fits four adults. Luggage room at 250-469 litres is reasonable given the tight hatch tail. Hard plastics for the dash are tiresome though quality is good. Controls are logical and simple. Clipboard-friendly vertical glovebox with its letterbox slit access hints at courier or delivery van use.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS / TECHNOLOGY

This platform was once shared with Ford's Fiesta (both are made in Thailand). Though small in length, the wheelbase is long and so gives it reasonable rear-seat room and improves ride comfort. The 76kW/135Nm 1.5-litre engine is dumbed down for durability and 6.8L/100km economy. It gets an old world four-speed auto, front disc brakes and rear drums, electric-assist steering and conventional suspension to put it mechanically on par with most rivals.

SAFETY

All the basics are there - five-star crash rating, six airbags, electronic stability and traction control plus a park sensors. Though that’s not unusual in the light-car segment, sensors would definitely be welcomed.

DRIVING

The combination of a low-stressed engine and a four-speed auto is as tantalising as a plate of spinach, but the Mazda 2 provides lively performance and even fun handling. The taut chassis and nicely-tied suspension do most of the work but credit also to an electric-assist steering box that is neither vague nor overly light.

Good ride comfort, quiet performance - save for hard acceleration - are also good points and show just how good is this ageing hatch. But though civilised in the city, the four-speed auto has huge ratio gaps. Using the kickdown, as in overtaking, it often finds these gaps too big to downshift but if forced, makes the engine scream.

VERDICT

Simple, practical and pretty but there’s better value in the Maxx Sport model from $16,930 and better cars elsewhere.

Mazda 2 Neo
Price: from $15,790
Engine: 1.5L four-cylinder, 76kW/135Nm
Transmission: 5-speed manual, FWD
Economy: 6.4L/100km, CO2 152 g/km 

Mazda 2 2014: Neo Sport

Engine Type Inline 4, 1.5L
Fuel Type Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 6.4L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $5,500 - $7,700
Safety Rating

Pricing Guides

$12,197
Based on 113 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$3,999
HIGHEST PRICE
$17,990
Neil Dowling
Contributing Journalist
GoAutoMedia Cars have been the corner stone to Neil’s passion, beginning at pre-school age, through school but then pushed sideways while he studied accounting. It was rekindled when he started contributing to magazines including Bushdriver and then when he started a motoring section in Perth’s The Western Mail. He was then appointed as a finance writer for the evening Daily News, supplemented by writing its motoring column. He moved to The Sunday Times as finance editor and after a nine-year term, finally drove back into motoring when in 1998 he was asked to rebrand and restyle the newspaper’s motoring section, expanding it over 12 years from a two-page section to a 36-page lift-out. In 2010 he was selected to join News Ltd’s national motoring group Carsguide and covered national and international events, launches, news conferences and Car of the Year awards until November 2014 when he moved into freelancing, working for GoAuto, The West Australian, Western 4WDriver magazine, Bauer Media and as an online content writer for one of Australia’s biggest car groups. He has involved himself in all aspects including motorsport where he has competed in everything from motocross to motorkhanas and rallies including Targa West and the ARC Forest Rally. He loves all facets of the car industry, from design, manufacture, testing, marketing and even business structures and believes cars are one of the few high-volume consumables to combine a very high degree of engineering enlivened with an even higher degree of emotion from its consumers.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$3,999
Lowest price, based on third party pricing data.
For more information on
2014 Mazda 2
See Pricing & Specs

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